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Small Cap Core

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Snapshot

If you're more of an aggressive investor looking for the growth potential offered by the stocks of smaller companies, then the Northern Small Cap Core Fund may be the right choice for you. Our experienced investment team follows a quantitative-managed, core style investment strategy to select stocks based on a statistical analysis of historical relationships among small-cap characteristics, stock prices and market capitalization ranges. The Fund invests in a highly diversified portfolio consistent with small-cap core benchmarks and uses a screening process designed to reduce exposure to stocks with negative fundamentals.

Use a screening process designed to reduce exposure to stocks with negative fundamental indicators.

Maintain a highly diversified portfolio consistent with small-cap core benchmarks, in an effort to reduce the risks associated with any specific stock or industry.

Investor Profile

If you're a more aggressive investor looking for the growth potential offered by the stocks of smaller companies this Fund may be right for you. The Fund employs a quantitative-managed, core style investment approach. It is intended for equity investors with an above-average tolerance for volatility who want to diversify their investments and plan to invest for the long term without concern for current income.

Risk/Reward Potential

Overall Morningstar RatingTM

Among 636 small blend funds derived from a weighted average of the fund's 3-, 5- and 10-year risk-adjusted returns as of 6/30/15.

Small Cap Core received 4 stars for the 3-year rating among 636 small blend funds, 4 stars for the 5-year rating among 575 funds and 4 stars for the 10-year rating among 377 funds.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Ratings reflect fee waivers in effect; in their absence, ratings may have been lower.

Star ratings are based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a fund’s monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges and redemption fees), placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The overall rating is a weighted average of the 3-, 5-, and 10-year (if applicable) returns. 5 stars = top 10% of funds in an asset category; 4 stars = next 22.5% of funds; 3 stars = next 35%; 2 stars = next 22.5% and 1 star = next 10%. A fund must be in existence three years to be rated. Ratings are subject to change monthly.

Performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than that shown here.

Northern Trust Investments, Inc. has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of the operating expenses of the Fund (other than certain excepted expenses, i.e., acquired fund fees and expenses; the compensation paid to each Independent Trustee of the Trust; expenses of third party consultants engaged by the Board of Trustees; membership dues paid to the Investment Company Institute and Mutual Fund Directors Forum; expenses in connection with the negotiation and renewal of the revolving credit facility; and extraordinary expense and interest) to the extent the "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses" exceed 0.75%. The "Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement" may be higher than the contractual limitation as a result of the excepted expenses that are not reimbursed. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before July 31, 2016 without the approval of the Board of Trustees. In the absence of fee waivers, yield, total return, growth since inception and dividends would have been reduced. Total return is based on net change in NAV assuming reinvestment of distributions.

Annual Expense Ratios

Gross Expense Ratio

Net Expense Ratio‡

Small Cap Core

0.88%

0.77%

‡Includes contractual expense reimbursements that, if not extended, will end on July 31, 2016.

Equity Risk: Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed-income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small-Cap Risk: Small-capitalization funds typically carry additional risks since smaller companies generally have a higher risk of failure. Their stocks are subject to a greater degree of volatility, trade in lower volume and may be less liquid.

Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index which measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies, based on market capitalization. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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Robert H. Bergson, CFA®

Robert H. Bergson, Senior Vice President of Northern Trust, is a senior portfolio manager and researcher for Northern Trust's Quantitative Active Equity Team. He is responsible for research and implementation of several small cap equity strategies representing more than $3.5 billion in small cap assets. He manages the Northern Small Cap Core Fund and Northern Small Cap Value Fund.

Prior to joining Northern Trust in 1997, Mr. Bergson served as Director of Investment Research for Real Estate Research Corporation, a real estate consulting and research firm.

Mr. Bergson received a B. Arch. from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.S. in real estate development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is an active CFA® charterholder, and a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society Chicago and the Chicago Quantitative Alliance.

Please carefully read the prospectus and summary prospectus and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of Northern Funds before investing. Call 800-595-9111 to obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other information about the funds.